Any vehicle owner can feel at ease when bringing their car to the shop if they are covered by an auto warranty. Auto warranties cover repair and maintenance costs for your vehicles. Here are three things to be sure you know about an auto warranty:

1. Know where the auto warranty is coming from. Is it coming from a manufacturer or an aftermarket company? It is important to be aware of who is handling your policy.

2. Thoroughly read through the warranty so that you are aware of how long it will last and what coverage you are getting from it.

3. Be aware of and be sure to perform any and all required maintenance on your vehicle because warranties only remain valid if you get specific work done to your vehicle. Also, keep a record of all maintenance and repairs performed on your vehicle in the event that you ever need to handle a claim.

Auto warranties provide peace of mind when bringing your vehicle to your mechanic for repairs and maintenance. If you want to get the most out of your auto warranty, it is important to know all of its details.

Generally people purchase an aftermarket auto warranty or an extended auto warranty for their vehicles when their factory warranty comes to an end. When you purchase an aftermarket auto warranty, your warranty provider covers the costs of repair and replacement of specific car parts. Here are some things you should remember when thinking about purchasing an aftermarket auto warranty:

An aftermarket auto warranty usually doesn’t cover the costs of repair and replacement of parts that break down due to wear and tear. An aftermarket bumper to bumper warranty will cover costs for repair and replacement of most parts in your vehicle, but usually this does not include tires, brakes, etc. that break down to wear and tear. However, there are companies that offer warranties that cover wear and tear parts as well. It is wise to buy a warranty that covers wear and tear parts even if this means that is more costly to purchase than a regular mechanical warranty. This is because almost 80% of your car’s repair costs are a result of wear and tear problems that arise. An auto warranty that covers wear and tear issues will help you save a lot of money, especially if your vehicle is older.

Many motorists are starting to make the switch to hybrid cars for various reasons. The main two reasons are a sharp increase in gas prices and a desire to protect the environment. There are a lot of things that you should know about hybrid cars before you choose whether, or not they are right for you.

1. Hybrid cars help to protect the environment. This is because they run on less gas and can help to reduce the amount of smog in the air by as much as 90%.

2. There are many beneficial features in hybrid cars. They have good gas mileage and can get anywhere between 50 and 60 miles per gallon of gas. In addition, they do not need to get plugged in like an electric car because they will recharge as you drive. Also, they have a lower depreciation value and can be resold much easier. Lastly, if you drive a hybrid car, you may be able to get a tax rebate from the government.

3. A hybrid car will produce less noise. When you bring it to a full stop, it shuts down. This is helpful because you save gas. This is even more beneficial for drivers who are constantly driving in stop-and-go traffic.

4. Hybrid cars tend to be a bit more expensive. Though this is the case, the money is not wasted. Between the amount of money you save on gas and the amount of money you save on maintaining a hybrid car, it amounts to the total that you spend buying the car.

If you choose to switch to a hybrid car, it is wise to protect this investment with an auto warranty. An auto warranty will help lower the costs of maintenance and repair bills.

Motorists will usually purchase an aftermarket auto warranty or an extended auto warranty for their cars when their factory warranty ends. When you purchase an aftermarket auto warranty, your warranty provider covers the costs of the bills for repair and replacement of certain parts of your car. There are some things to keep in mind when you are planning to buy an aftermarket auto warranty.

Keep in mind that an aftermarket auto warranty usually does not cover repair costs for issues that are caused by wear and tear. An aftermarket bumper-to-bumper warranty will cover the cost for most of the parts of your car. However, this usually excludes car parts such as the brakes, tires, etc. It is important to realize that there are companies out there that will provide warranties that cover wear and tear parts in addition to all of the other car parts. It is smart to purchase a warranty that covers wear and tear parts, even if the cost to do so is higher than a normal mechanical warranty. This is because almost 80% of your car repair expenses are due to wear and tear issues. You can save money with an auto warranty that covers wear and tear parts, especially if your car is older.

Motorists tend to become obsessed with their cars. They wash and wax them constantly to keep them looking brand new. Even though we love our cars so much, it is still important to not pay unnecessary car costs. Here are some things that you may be wasting your money on:

1. It is not always a necessity to fill your tank with premium gasoline. Regular gasoline is cheaper and if it does not cause engine knock, then it is okay to use. The purpose of octane grades is to avoid engine knock. Therefore, if regular gasoline does not cause engine knock, it is okay to use in your tank.

2. Usually car manufacturers advise getting an oil change done on your car every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. However, some motorists think that it is a necessity to get it done every 3,000 miles. This is only a necessity if you are very hard on your car.

3. Lastly, motorists will waste money getting car repairs done by a dealer. Independent shops can do a great job and at a cheaper price. Having an auto warranty can help you save money on maintenance and repairs.

It is good to know where you are wasting money on your car so that you can break those habits and be a bit nicer to your wallet. Do not let other people talk you into paying for car costs that are not a necessity.

When consumers look into buying auto warranties, they generally only look at prices. Consumers are always seeking out the best deal they can get when buying an auto warranty. Price is important, however, it should not be the only thing that you consider when picking which auto warranty you want to purchase.

When researching the auto warranty that will work for you, it is essential to ensure that you are getting a good quality warranty. If you want to get the most out of it, it is important to keep these two things in mind while doing research:

1. Look at the cost of the auto warranty. Ensure that it is affordable. However, do not let it be the only determining factor of which warranty your purchase.

2. Do research on the company that you are looking to buy from. Ask yourself a list of questions when conducting the research. Is the company established? Is the company visible online? Is the company reputable? Lastly, make sure that the company is accredited and has high ratings with the Better Business Bureau.

 Get Started Building a Home Emergency Kit

The winter storm season is upon us and according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half the people in the U.S. do not have resources and plans in place to deal with an emergency.

The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take now to help you prepare for an emergency. Depending on where you live, and the unique needs of your family, you might need different things in an emergency, but here are a few things that everyone should have in their home emergency kit.

Food and Water

• Water, at least one gallon per person per day for a minimum of three days
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food per person
• Manual can opener for canned food
• Pet food and extra water

Electronics

• Flashlight
• Cell phone with charger, inverter, or solar charger
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio (a NOAA Weather Radio suggested)
• Extra batteries

Health and Safety

• First aid kit
• Medicines (three-day supply, minimum)
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

Storing and Maintaining Your Kit

Once your supplies are together, here are a few tips to keep your supplies ready:

• Write the date you store food and water on all containers.
• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests.
• Change food, water, medicine and batteries ever six months.
• Rethink your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Mobile Apps:

The Red Cross also has a number of free apps including:

• Emergency App – Stay on top of severe weather and emergency alerts and gain access to safety information
• First aid app – Instant access to information for common first aid emergencies
• Pet first aid app – Important first aid information for your cat or dog

FEMA also has a mobile app to that includes safety and emergency preparedness as well as weather alerts, disasters resources and reports.

Performing basic maintenance for the plumbing systems in your home can go a long way to preventing bigger issues from erupting. Here are eight DIY maintenance tips that can help minimize the number of trips to your house from your plumber, particularly if your home has experienced plumbing problems in the past.
Fix leaks and clogs immediately. Plumbing issues like these can quickly turn simple repairs into expensive ones and/or lead to water damage and unhealthy mold or mildew buildup.
Use non-toxic drain cleaners. A solution of baking soda and vinegar can clear most minor drain clogs.
Keep drains object-free. Install properly fitting drain screens and sink stoppers to prevent food, hair, and other things that can stop up pipes from going down the drain.
Learn what your disposal can eat. Not everything can be chewed up by the kitchen disposal. Check your manufacturer’s manual for specifics, but as a general rule, never put cooking grease, coffee grinds, egg shells, pasta or rice in your disposal.
Plunger buy the right tools. Be sure you have a plumber’s wrench in your toolbox as well as a sturdy plunger.
Know locations for all shut-off valves. Your home’s washing machine, sink, toilet, and water heater all have shut-off valves. Know where they are as well as your home’s main water shut-off valve and any outside clean-outs.
Prepare for the season. Before winter, inspect the insulation around the pipes under your house, in the basement, and in the garage. Proper insulation helps keep your pipes from freezing and bursting.
Schedule regular plumbing checkups. Consult with your plumber about a schedule for the routine maintenance needs for your home’s HVAC system and water heater. Also schedule a snake of your sewer lines via your home’s clean-out at least every two years to keep pipes free of clogs and buildup.
Remember: your home’s plumbing has a tell. When you spot one of its tics, like a leaky faucet, water on the floor around a dishwasher or refrigerator, or mildew around a sink, shower, or tub, don’t hesitate to act. It’s a sign that you have some maintenance to do.

People are very attached to their cars. We obsess over them like they are our babies and we find ourselves washing and waxing them daily to keep them looking new and shiny. However, even though we love our cars, it is important that we don’t pay for any unnecessary expenses. Here are a few things that you may find yourself wasting money on:

It is not always a necessity to fill your tank with premium gas. Regular gas is cheaper and if it does not cause your engine to knock you can put it in your tank. The purpose of octane is to avoid engine knock. Therefore, if you regular gas does not cause your engine to knock, it is okay to use in your car.

Usually, car manufacturers suggest getting an oil change done on your car every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. There are many motorists who believe it needs to get done every 3,000 miles. This is only necessary if you are hard on your car.

Also, motorists tend to waste money by having repairs done by a dealer. Independent shops can do a good job and for a cheaper price. In addition, make sure that you have an auto warranty for your car that can help you save money on unnecessary repair and maintenance costs.

Be aware of where you waste money so that you can make changes to help you to be a bit easier on your wallet. Do not let others talk you into paying unnecessary car expenses.

Nowadays, we are dependant upon our cars to get us through our daily lives. Our cars are our main source of transportation. Therefore, it is essential that we care for our cars properly and get all of the necessary repairs and maintenance performed on them to keep them in tiptop shape.

When we bring our cars to the mechanic to get one repair done, we often come across the situation where the mechanic finds yet another problem with the car that also needs to be taken care of. When this situation occurs, it is very helpful to ensure that the car is covered by an aftermarket auto warranty.

We cannot always predict what problems the mechanic will find in the car when we bring it in for repairs. Unanticipated problems may arise and the cost to fix these problems can be expensive. An auto warranty will cover the costs of repairs and maintenance that are needed to keep our cars running the right way. Also, it is smart to get all repairs and maintenance performed by a reputable shop and mechanic that gives you the repair estimates in writing before doing any work on your car.